Former UK Chief of Defence Staff urges next prime minister to strengthen defence

Sir Tony's intervention came as the government prepared to publish its long-awaited defence spending plan.

After handing in his resignation, Sir Keir Starmer finally appears to have discovered a sense of urgency on defence.

Dan Jarvis, the new defence secretary, is believed to have already secured about £1bn more than his predecessor, John Healey, after days more of intense haggling between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Treasury.